5 Portable Multipurpose Balms to Toss in Your Purse

We carry around so many lipsticks, powders, hand creams, and brushes on a day to day basis, it’s not too far from the truth to say that we’re forever teetering on the brink of Mary Poppins status. Each time we try to pare down to just a few products, we feel like it gives us license to add in just a few more, which is skewed logic, to say the very least.

That’s why we’re so obsessed with products that multitask—they take two (or more!) of our necessities and narrow them down into one, making our purses that much lighter. These multipurpose lip balms do way more than just moisturize lips: they also cure dry skin, cut down on flyaways, and more. What’s not to love?

Josie Maran Argan Infinity Cream Intensive Creamy Oil ($28, sephora.com)
We don’t blame you if you’re skeptical of something that purports to be a “creamy oil,” but this lusciously hydrating balm does the job of a moisturizer, lip balm, frizz-fighting cream, and more. We honestly can’t think of a single thing it doesn’t do—you can even dab it on your cheekbones as a subtle highlighter that doesn’t add color but catches the light like a dream.

LUSH Ultrabalm ($13.95, lushusa.com)
For the pared-down naturalist in you, this waxy balm has one of the shortest ingredients lists we’ve ever seen on a product, with just jojoba oil, candelilla wax, and rose wax to its name. Chapping and dryness doesn’t stand a chance against this thick stay-put formula, whether it’s on your lips, your elbows, or even your split ends.

Badger Lip & Body Balm ($3.99, badgerbalm.com)
For under $4 a pop, nothing beats this organic, fuss-free balm, formulated to soothe and moisturize not only lips but anywhere else on your body that needs a little TLC. They’re packed with olive oil, beeswax, aloe extract, and more, and at that price, we can afford to leave one next to our bed, on our desk, and in every purse.

RMS Beauty Lip & Skin Balm ($25, rmsbeauty.com)
Coconut oil is a powerful moisturizing ingredient on its own, but combined with the beeswax, shea butter, cocoa seed butter, propolis extract, and more that also help to make up this sumptuous balm, it’s everything you need to keep your skin in check. Apply it under eyes or around your mouth to smooth fine lines, or massage it into your cuticles to encourage healthy nails. It’s basically a tiny powerhouse of the best ingredients on earth.

Jurlique Love Balm ($10, jurlique.com)
With a fresh, citrusy scent and a generous amount of antioxidant protection to go along with it, they call this one “love balm” for a reason—apply it anywhere your skin needs a little bit of love. The gentle natural formula is especially perfect for extra sensitive and easily irritated skin, as it soothes and protects even the most compromised skin.